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6 Tips to Prevent Clogged Drains

 

Many people don’t think twice about their plumbing—that is, until the toilet clogs or water starts pooling in the bathtub while taking a shower. Thankfully, with a few preventative measures, you can prevent clogged drains and keep your pipes flowing smoothly for the foreseeable future.

Don’t Dump Grease Down the Drain

Cooking grease may be liquid when it’s hot, but once it cools, it becomes drain-clogging sludge. To prevent a major clog, pour grease into an empty jar or can, and then dump it in the trash.

Catch Hair

Shower drains often become clogged as hair accumulates in the pipe. To prevent this, install a mesh screen or replace the stopper with one that features a perforated hair catcher. Consider mesh drain covers for your bathroom sinks as well. Empty these screens regularly to keep the pipes flowing.

Be Careful What You Flush

Toilets are designed to handle human waste and toilet paper. Even then, try to use a conservative amount of toilet paper. Also, teach your kids not to play around the toilet so they don’t flush toys or other foreign objects that could cause a clog.

Remember never to flush things like paper towels, facial tissues, feminine hygiene products, cotton balls, and baby wipes. These aren’t designed to dissolve in water, so they can easily clog the toilet.

Flush Out Your Drains

The lower volume of water that results from using low-flow showerheads and aerated faucets is good for conserving water, but not so good for keeping drains clear. Counteract this problem by occasionally flushing your pipes. Fill sinks and bathtubs halfway with hot water, and then pull the plug. This large volume of water can help rinse debris away before it forms a clog.

Clean Pop-Up Sink Stoppers

The stopper on your bathroom sink is a magnet for hair and other debris. While this helps keep the pipe clear, it can also lead to slow drains if too much waste builds up. Low water flow also increases the risk of clogs further down the pipe. To prevent these problems, remove and clean the stopper whenever you notice the sink starting to drain more slowly.

Schedule Drain Cleaning or Hydro Jetting

Some people think you only need a plumber when your pipes are clogged, but preventative drain cleaning can help you avoid inconvenient clogs before they start. If you routinely deal with a clogged sewer line, you may begin to realize that drain cleaning isn’t always enough.

A video camera inspection can reveal if other issues are at play, such as tree root intrusion, collapsed pipes, or rotted-out cast iron. In many cases, powerful hydro jetting can remove blockages that cause your pipes to clog frequently, saving you time, hassle, and money by helping you avoid future plumbing trouble.

Hopefully, with these preventative measures, you can put your days of recurring plumbing clogs behind you! For help keeping your pipes clear, please call Albert Nahman Services at (510) 876-9725 and schedule drain cleaning or hydro jetting today.

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